Weighing in on Terminal Servers

Currently we have a number of our schools in the district using terminal servers and we’re finding out what works and what doesn’t.

But what are terminal servers? Take a flatscreen monitor and attach a Wyse box terminal to the back on the monitor, add a keyboard and mouse and presto you have a thin client – a workstation that is directly connected to a server. When you start up a program, you’re actually starting up from the server.

Pros

Quick start up

Quick access to programs (that work in terminal services)

Small footprint (no tower) and students have more deskspace

Flat screen monitor and Wyse box use much less energy

Great for basic productivity tool and internet research

Easy to maintain and change an image…you’re installing on one computer…no multicast ghosting required

Users don’t have control over settings…can’t muck up the main computer (in most cases)

Cons

Can’t use certain programs (see below). This requires a lot of trial and error and can be very frustrating for teachers and students

This is a great solution for libraries and offices where client-based software isn’t required and basic productivity and research tools are required. This solution also works in computer labs, however teachers and students need to be aware of the limitations of such technology.

A workaround for teachers who want to show content with Google Earth and video streaming, is to have a dedicated teacher workstation and dedicated Wyse box hooked up to a projector with a switch between them. Teachers can then toggle between 2 inputs to project their images.